[For Seniors] Enjoyable Indoor Activities! Recreations and Games That Engage the Mind and Body
Have fun moving your body together while giving your brain a workout, too! If you’re looking for games that train balance, indoor recreation is highly recommended.
We’ll introduce ideas you can fully enjoy even while seated, such as the Chopstick Pick-Up Game, the Balance UFO Game, and Ping-Pong Ball Transfer.
In particular, the actions of carefully pulling out chopsticks and placing items on a disc naturally build concentration and a sense of balance.
These ideas are perfect for seniors to enjoy together, so why not give them a try?
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- Hand games that liven things up for seniors—also great brain training
- [November Health Topic] Indoor Recreation Ideas for Older Adults
- [For Seniors] Recreational Activities Enjoyable in Large Groups
- [For Seniors] Fun Small-Group Recreation
Finger-play exercises (11–20) that train both dexterity and the brain simultaneously
Brain training that sharpens your reflexes
It’s a game that trains your reflexes by imitating claps so that your timing matches the model person’s clapping as closely as possible.
While getting a firm grasp of the clapping rhythm is key to enjoying the game, focusing too much on the rhythm can make you fall for tricks.
The sequence of observing the model’s hands and reflecting that in your own movements tests both your concentration and reflexes.
Adding changes in rhythm or variations in clapping midway through is also recommended, as it further directs your attention to the model’s hands.
Exciting towel activity
This is a game that tests how quickly you can make decisions by seeing the outcome of rock-paper-scissors and taking immediate action.
Towels are placed on the table: the winner of rock-paper-scissors quickly pulls the towel, while the loser immediately presses down on it.
If the towel isn’t pulled out, the game continues, and this sequence repeats until someone successfully pulls the towel free.
To act quickly in line with the rock-paper-scissors result, focus and on-the-spot judgment seem to be crucial.
Brain training with rock-paper-scissors
It’s a game where you create patterns that switch between rock, scissors, and paper hand shapes, then go through those different patterns in order.
The key is thinking about what shape comes next.
Having players say the shapes out loud while making them is also important; thinking, moving the hands, and speaking at the same time helps activate the brain.
Start at a slow tempo at first, then gradually increase the speed to make it more challenging.
It might be easier if you write the sequence on a board in words so players can refer to it while figuring out the shapes.
Brain training! Towel rock-paper-scissors
Like the game “Whack-and-Cap Rock-Paper-Scissors,” this towel rock-paper-scissors trains your reflexes and your brain.
Spread a towel flat on the table and sit facing your partner, then play rock-paper-scissors.
If you win, pull the towel toward you; if you lose, hold it down firmly so it doesn’t get taken.
As the game heats up, you’ll start mixing up what to do when you win or lose, which in turn stimulates your brain.
Since it’s an exercise you do with someone else, it also encourages communication and brightens your mood!
The Old Man Who Made Flowers Bloom
Do you know the folktale “Hanasaka Jiisan”? I have a game idea inspired by the most memorable scene where the old man makes flowers bloom.
You draw a tree on construction paper and then drop confetti, meant to look like cherry blossoms, onto it.
Put the confetti in a colander or similar container so it only falls when you shake it.
The rule is that whoever finishes decorating their tree first wins.
It also seems like it could be good exercise for the shoulders and arms.
Hand games that train your fingertips and brain at the same time (21–30)
10-minute morning exercise
It’s hard to get your body moving in the morning, isn’t it? And everyone feels a bit groggy right after waking up.
At times like that, try some quick exercises to wake up your body and brain.
First, bring the fingertips of both hands together, then spin the opposing fingers in circles as if they’re playing tag.
Do this from the thumbs to the little fingers.
Next, move the muscles in your face, such as by opening your mouth wide.
Finally, use both your hands and feet for a full-body exercise.
If you’re an older adult, please prioritize safety and try these exercises while seated.
Brain-training finger play
Here’s a no-prep recreation activity: a finger-play brain exercise.
It’s simple to do! First, hold your hands up with your palms facing you and make fists.
Open only the thumb on your right hand and only the pinky on your left hand.
Next, switch: open the pinky on your right hand and the thumb on your left hand.
Keep repeating this.
It sounds easy, but it’s surprisingly hard.
Try doing it to a rhythm—one, two, one, two—and you might find yourself laughing at how tricky it is.
But don’t worry.
The goal isn’t to do it perfectly; performing two different movements at the same time stimulates your brain, so just trying it provides a brain-training effect.
With practice, you’ll get the hang of it and feel a sense of achievement.
Give it a try!
